Methylmercury levels in commonly consumed fish and methylmercury exposure of children and women of childbearing age in Hong Kong, a high fish consumption community

Highlights: • Most fish commonly consumed by local high risk populations contain low MeHg levels. • Half of the examined cod fish contained MeHg levels exceeding the local legal limit. • 16% children and 9% women are exposed to MeHg levels exceeding the reference dose. Despite high fish consumption levels of Hong Kong residents, little is known about the MeHg exposure levels of Hong Kong high-risk populations (i.e. young children and women of childbearing age).